Automatic sectionalizing and short circuiting switch



Julie 6, 1944. E. H. HAUG 2,350,610

AUTOMATIC SECTIONALIZING AND SHORT CIRfiUITING SWITCH Original Filed Feb. 19 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR June 6, 1944. E. H. HAUG 2,350,610

AUTOMATIC SECTIONALIZING AND SHORT CIRCUITING SWITCH Original Filed Feb. 19, 1938 '3 Sheets-Shet 2 INV' ENTOR.

June 6, 1944. E. H. HAUG 2,350,610

AUTOMATIC SECTIONALIZING AND SHORT CIRCUITING SWITCH n l Filed Feb. 19, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s 2 I0; lOa

sa- -s e I 5a -5a CLOSED OPEN FIG- 6 I FIG.

INVENTOR Patented June 6, 1944 AUTOBIATIC SECTIONALIZING AND SHORT CIRCUITING SWITCH Eugene H. Haug, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Hugh E. Young, trustee of Young & Haug Trust Estate Refiled for abandoned application Serial l \lo. 191,390,February 19, 1938. This application March 29, 1940, Serial No. 326,799

11 Claims.

This is a refile application or substitute for applicants technically abandoned application 191,- 390, filed February 19, 1938.

My invention relates to an electrically operated automatic sectionalizing and short circuiting switch and more particularly to such switches utilized in constant current systems as a protective device against-destructively high voltages resulting from-open circuit conditions.

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide an improved switching device, by means of which much greater than usual open circuit protection for constant current systems can be obtained. When an open circuit occurs in the load circuit of a constant current system such as referred to, my switching apparatus will in sequential order (1) short circuit the constant current circuit, (2) disconnect the load circuit from the constant current circuit, and (3) short circuit the load circuit.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved electrical switching apparatus utilizing cutouts, of such nature as film cutouts, negative resistance characteristic cutouts, or the like, together with a method and means for assuring constant current control whereby, once the switch has been opened due to a fault in the constant current circuit, it is impossible to reset the said switching apparatus without having first repaired or correctedthe fault causing the open circuit.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved switching apparatus so constructed that the switch must be reset manually after an open circuit. Thus, not only must the fault causing the open circuit condition be first corrected before the ,switch is reclosed, but the switching apparatus after the correction of said faults must then be reset or reclosed manually. This feature of my invention is very desirable from the standpoint of safety first. It is well known that open circuits in street lighting systems, especially in aerial circuits, are unavoidable. My present invention contains two safety features that preclude the attending hazards and danger of live wires under these conditions. The construction of the switching mechanism requires first that the constant current circuit be in perfect operation and condition before the switch may closed or reset, and that the switch must then be reset manually before the load line of the constant current system can be reenergized with electric current. There is no possibility of the reclosure or the resetting of the switch until all faults causing the open circuit condition have been cured.

In accordance with my invention, the constant current circuit of an electrically controlled constant current regulator is connected to'one end of the switch while the load of the load circuit is connected to the other end of the said switch. The solenoid with a cutout for operating the said switch is connected in series circuit relation across the constant current leads of the regulator ahead of the switch. A fault on the load line resulting in an open circuit therein causes the voltage in the output circuit to rise to a value which is sufiiciently highto puncture the cutout, so rendering the cutout conducting and thus energizing the coil of the solenoid. The solenoid coil, so energized, trips the locking mechanism of the switch which in turn releases the spring operating the switch to open the said switch. In short, the operation of the switch functions in the following sequence: First, to short circuit the constant current supply leads at 10; Secondly, to entirely disconnect bot-h supply leads of this circuit from the load leads thereof at It); and, Thirdly, to short circuit the load circuit at Illa.

The reason for the sequence of operations indicated is to avoid the formation of a heavy arc on breaking "of the current before disconnecting the load from the transformer circuit and also to protect the regulator itself from destructive voltages. By short circuiting the constant current circuit first, the voltage'of the transformer'circuit immediately drops to practically zero value and thus makes possible opening of the switch under no load condition.

For a better understanding of my invention-together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the'drawings,

Figure 1 shows a front view of the automatic switch wherein my invention is embodied; the breaker part being shown wide open, beyond its normal opening angle so as best to show the structure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the automatic switch shown in Fig. 1, and showing by dotted outlines the breaker part in both its closed and normally open positions.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the switch contacts l and 5 of the automatic switch shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the switch contacts "la and III of the automatic switch shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the latching mechanism I2 shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 illustrates the electric circuit arrangement when the said switch, as shown in Fig. 1, is closed.

Fig. 7 illustrates the electric circuit arrangement when the said switch, as shown in Fig. 1

is open. 7

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a side elevation of the automatic sectionalizing and short circuiting switch shown in Fig. 1. This switch consists of four principal parts, the stationary housing 38 with its insulating supports 28 and 2|, and fastening bolts 22 and 23; the hinged door or switch arm 39; the latching mechanism I2 with its supports; and the operating solenoid I5.

In Fig. 2 the dotted outline X of the switch door shows the automatic switch in a closed position while the dotted outline Y of the switch door shows the automatic switch in an open position after operation.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the leads 58 from the constant current side of the regulator pass through the apertures 3 I' of the'stationary housing 38, and are fastened by the connectors 40 to the switch contacts II), the details of which contacts are shown in Fig. 4. The leads 6 to the load circuit pass through the apertures 30 of the stationary housing 38, and are fastened by the connectors 48a to the switch contacts I Go, the details of which contacts are also shown in Fig. 4. On the door 39 of the stationary switch housing 38 are the contacts I and 5, and the detailed construction of which is more fully shown in Fig. 3. These contacts consist eachof two metal parts Ia and an insulating spacer 9. Corresponding parts Ia of contacts I and 5 are electrically'connected by leads 2 and 2a as shown in'Fig. 1, and are so arranged that, upon the closing of the door 39 of housing 38, contacts 5 engage contacts I to, and contacts I engage contacts Ill. The engagement of contacts I and 5 toconta'cts I and I 8a. respectively is accompanied by a separation of the respective lip parts of contacts la and- I8, thereby opening the short circuit and thus connecting the leads 58 of the constant current side of the regulator in series relation with leads 6 to the load.

'Upon the opening of the door 39 of the stationary.housing 38, first the contacts I' pull away from contacts I0, thereby permitting automatic closing of the lip parts of contacts III upon each other (see Fig. 4) and thus short circuiting the leads 58 of the constant current regulate-r55. After the'leads 58 are short circuited the contacts disengage from the contacts Ito, and the'lip parts of contacts Illa engage each other, thereby short circuiting the leads fi in the load circuit of the load. Thus, the regulator leads 58 are immediately'short circuited and arcing is avoided. The curvature and resilience of the end portions or lips of'the contacts In and IIlais such that the act of short circuiting the circuit occurs before the contact of the plates I and Ia therewith is broken.

Figs. 1 and 2 also show the mechanism for the opening of the door 39. In the said mechanism,

rod 25 bears endwise upon plate 3 which in turn is fastened on door 39. Rod 25 has a washer 26 welded in place as shown. Washer 26 presses the spring 24 against panel I when the switch is in a closed position. Rod 25 has a'further detail in washer 28 which is welded to the end of rod 25 in order to prevent over travel of rod 25. There is an automatic locking device consisting of a pawl I2 adapted for engaging plate 3 fastened. on the door 39 to hold the door 39 in its closed position against the pressure of the spring 24. Pawl I2 is fastened to the supports I3 by the pivot 59. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing the method of fastening pawl I2 on the supports I3. Pawl I2 is operated through the plunger I4 by magnet core I9 in the operating solenoid I5. Operating solenoid I5 is supported by the frame I6, I! and I8 on panel I.

The operation of the switch can be more readily understood by referring to Figs. 6 and 7, which show a constant current regulator 56 connected to a supply by leads 51, and connected to a load circuit by leads 58. Leads 58 are also connected to the operating solenoid I5, having a cutout 36 in series circuit relation. Members I5 and 36 are connected together by wire 33 and thence by wires 32 and 31 respectively to the constant current power leads 58. Leads 6 from the switch go to the load 42.

Referring specifically to Fig. 6, showing the cir-' cuit arrangement of the switch in a closed position, the leads 58 are connected to the conductors 2 and 2a of the switch 38 which conductors are in turn connected to leads 6 of the load circuit. It will be noted that since cutout 36,'which is in series circuit relation with operating solenoid I5 is not punctured, there is no electrical connection to operating solenoid I5. Upon an open circuit in the load circuit 6, the voltage across leads 58 immediately rises. This rise in voltage punctures the cutout 36, thus energizing operating solenoid I5. The operating solenoid I5, as shown in Fig. 2, in turn operates latch I2, which releases the spring 24 which in turn opens door 39 and thus produces the circuit arrangement as shown in Fig. 7.

Referring specifically to Fig. '7, showing the circuit arrangement of the switch in open position, the constant current regulator 56 is short circuited on the constant current side by the contacts I8, the load circuit portion is short cir-. cuited uponitself by contacts Illa, and the constant current supply side or portion is sectionalized from the load circuit portion by the opening of door 39 which disconnects the leads 2 and 2a from the contacts la and I8.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein have been selected for the purpose of clearly setting forth the principles involved. It will be apparent however, that the structure is susceptible of being modified to meet the different conditions encountered in its use and I therefore aim to cover by the appended claims all modifications within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

The puncturable cutout 36 is substantially a high voltage breakdown resistance unit of any suitable design and preferably not destructible in use. I would here direct attention to the Young and Haug Patent No. 2,198,101 of April 23, 1940.

I claim:

of said breakdown device, and means comprising switch contacts in sequence whereby the opening operation of saidswitch short circuits the constant current supply circuit, sectionalizes the load from the supply and short circuits the load circuit in said sequential order.

2. In a constant-potential to constant-current electric power system, automatic protecting means comprising a switch connected in series with the power leads, a solenoid connected in series with a high voltage breakdown resistance element across the constant current leads, a plunger operable bysaid solenoid to sectionalize the-circuit into two separate circuits, and means to hold the switch open until restored manually to its closed position, said switch having circuit control blades and terminals therefor respectively at their ends together with means to hold respective pairs of terminals apart when the circuit is operatively closed, which terminals are adapted and arranged to close on each other in pairs to short-circuit corresponding parts of the system when the switch is open.

3. An electric power distribution system comprising a constant current supply circuit, an automatic switch in series therewith to sectionalize said circuit into a load portion and a supply portion, an operating solenoid for said switch connected across one of said circuit portions, a normally open circuit closer in series with said solenoid, said solenoid being energized upon closing of said circuit closer, means comprising contacts positioned in sequence relation to one another with respect to the movement of said switch whereby operation of said switch short-circuits said constant current supply circuit, sectionalizes the load portion of said suppiy circuit from the supply portion thereof, and then short-circuits the said load portion in said sequential order.

4. A constant-potential to constant-current electrical power system, comprising a constantpotential power circuit, a constant current regulator, a normally closed constant-current supply circuit energised by said regulator, a con stant current load circuit, normally open switch means for connecting the input leads of said load circuit in series with the output leads of said constant-current supply circuit, latching means for holding said switch means closed, electrically operated trip mechanism for said latching means having a circuit connected across the leads of said constant-current circuit, and normally open circuit closing means controlling said latching means circuit and adapted to close the same upon the occurrence of a predetermined potential rise in said constant-current circuit, said switch means having contacts for short-circuiting the leads of said constant-current circuit arranged to open after closing of said switching means and to close before opening of said switch means.

5. In combination, a resonant constant-voltage to constant-current regulator, a constant-current output circuit therefrom, switch means to seetionalize said output circuit into a supply portion and a load portion, operating means connected across said supply portion in shunt relation thereto and adapted to be energized by a potential rise in said supply portion to open said switch means, said switch means comprising contact elements coactingly positioned acting so as to separately short both the supply and load portions of said output circuit on the opening of said sectionalizing switch means and to open such shorts on the closing of said switch means.

6. A constant-potential to constant-current electrical power system, comprising a constant potential power circuit, a constant-current regulator, a normally closed constant-currentsupply circuit energized by said regulator, a constant current load circuit, normally open switch means for connecting the input leads of said load circuit in series with the output leads of said constant-current regulator, latching means for holding said switch means closed, electrically operated trip mechanism for said latching means having a circuit connected across the leads of said constant-current circuit, and normally open circuit-closing means controlling said latching means circuit and adapted to close the same upon the occurrence of a predetermined potential rise in said constant-current circuit, said switch means having contacts for short-circuiting the leads of said constant-current circuit arranged to open the short circuit after closing of said switching means and to close the short circuit before opening of said switch means, and having contacts for shorting the leads of said load circuit on opening of said switch means.

'7. The combination with a resonant constant voltage to constant-current regulator having a constant current output circuit, of a switch to separate said output circuit into a supply portion and a load portion, an operating solenoid for said switch arranged to open said switch when said output circuit is opened, said switch having contacts so arranged as to first short the supply portion of said output circuit and then disconnect the load portion of the output circuit from the supply portion thereof.

8. In an electric power supply system, a constant current circuit having a supply portion and a load portion, and automatic switch means comprising movable switch elements respectively in series with the respective leads of the supply and load portions of said circuit to sectionalize the same, other switch elements respectively connected. with. said leads for separately shorting the supply leads and the load leads, an operating solenoid for said switch elements and a high voltage breakdown circuit closer connected in series across said supply portion, and means controlling the relative movements of said switch elements whereby the supply leads and the load leads will be individually shorted through the opening movement of said first-named switch elements.

9. In an electric power supply system, a constant current circuit having a supply portion and a load portion, and automatic switch means comprising movable switch elements respectively in series with the respective leads of the supply and load portions of said circuit to sectionalize the same, other switch elements respectively connected with said leads for separately shorting the supply leads and the load leads, an operating solenoid for said switch elements and a high voltage breakdown circuit closer connected in series across said supply portion, said series switch elements having overlapping sliding relation with said shorting switch elements and being arranged to first close said supply circuit short, then to isolate the load circuit portion from the supply circuit portion, and then to short the lead of the load circuit, each in partly overlapping sequence with the next.

10. In combination, a resonant constant-voltage to constant-current regulator, a constantcurrent output circuit therefrom, switch means to sectionalize said output circuit into a supply portion and a load portion, operating means for said switch means comprising a device responsive to abnormal voltage in said load portion and an operating solenoid connected so as to be energized by a potential rise in the said supply portion to open said switch means, said switch means comprising contacts arranged in sequence and acting so as to short-circuit said supply portion and disconnect the load from the supply and then short-circuit the load circuit in the said sequential order.

11. In an electric power supply system, a constant current circuit having a supply portion and a load portion, and automatic switch means comprising movable switch elements respectively in series with the respective leads of the supply and load portions of said circuit to sectionalize the same, other switch elements respectively connected with said leads for separately shorting the supply leads and the load leads, an operating solenoid for said movable switch elements connected to be energized through a potential rise in said circuit, said switch means having contacts so arranged as to first short-circuit the supply leads of said output circuit and then disconnect the load leads from the said supply leads and then short-circuit the load circuit in said sequentialorder.

' EUGENE H. HAUG. 

